Increased traffic along the Pahiatua Track, an alternate route to the closed Manawatu Gorge, has made the road dangerous for farmers, it's claimed.
Traci Wheeler, who owns a farm off the road, said it used to be a quiet farming route.
"It's a busy road now, certainly a lot more dangerous than it used to be," she said.
"People are passing where they shouldn't be passing. It can be quite scary sometimes.
"You used to be able to go down the road on a quad, move stock over it ... I wouldn't do that now."
The track is one of two alternate routes between Woodville and Palmerston North since slips closed the Manawatu Gorge on August 21. The gorge is expected to be open by mid-year.
The closure has claimed its first business victim, as the Beyond the Bridge Cafe closed at the end of January. Owner Rebecca Algie intends to reopen when the gorge is cleared.
Ms Algie said the cafe was losing up to $10,000 a week while the gorge road remained shut and she had to reduce its opening hours.
"The past few months have been challenging for the cafe but, after reviewing my options, I have to do what is best for the business," Ms Algie said. "I am excited to reopen the cafe as soon as the gorge reopens and hope everyone will be back for coffee."
Woodville retailers said they were shocked to hear the road will not reopen until at least mid-year.
John Gooding of Fish Spot said he had hoped and expected it to be open sooner than June.
"I realise it is not their fault and they are trying their best, but I am disappointed and it is disheartening to find out things are not going to get better any time soon," he said.
Mr Gooding said the lack of traffic through the town had seen his turnover fall by 30 per cent.
"I am disappointed retailers in Tauranga are receiving assistance because of the Rena disaster but there is nothing for us. Rena was a man-made event and the gorge closure is a natural event," he said.
Wairarapa MP John Hayes said he tried to get financial assistance for affected businesses before Christmas.
"I have done a lot of work for the Woodville retailers and I am still batting for them. I tried to get WINZ involved but many of them told me they were okay and didn't need help. Obviously, circumstances have changed again," he said.
Initial estimates had put the re-opening of the gorge road this month but, as benching work has progressed, Higgins crews have encountered increasing amounts of rock on the slip site.